Gerrard, 31, has won the Champions League, UEFA Cup, FA Cup and Carling Cup with the Reds, but concedes it is Premier League glory that occupies his thoughts. Currently on the comeback from an ankle problem, Gerrard remains hopeful his dream will be fulfilled before reaching retirement.

"It's something I think about almost every day," Gerrard is quoted in the English press. "I always think about the dream of winning it - or the disappointment if I was never to win it. Of course, it would be hugely disappointing if it didn't happen. To have played at Liverpool for what will, hopefully, be 14 or 15 years by the time I finish and not win it would be hugely disappointing. It would be an awful shame.

"But it won't be for a lack of trying. With the squad we have now, if we can keep improving and progressing and adding to it in the next few years, I think we'll have a really good chance of becoming champions."

Having twice finished second in the Premier League in his own career, Gerrard grew up in Liverpool during the 1980s watching current manager Kenny Dalglish lift the trophy. But the England midfielder says it is more difficult to win the competition now than it was then.

"I've played in an era where there have been three, four or five top teams in the league," said Gerrard. "When Liverpool dominated, they were so good they often turned it into a one-horse race right from the start of the season. In my time, we've been fighting with Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, and now Manchester City and Spurs. They have all been, or are, fantastic teams. It's a really difficult competition to win, but we'll always keep fighting."

After spending big over the past year, Gerrard feels Dalglish's new-look squad is in a strong position to make the breakthrough in the coming years.

"It was great to see so many players come in," he said. "It wasn't just during the summer either. There was also Luis [Suarez] and Andy [Carroll], who still feel like new signings because they came halfway through last season. Since then, we've added Charlie Adam, Jordan Henderson, Craig Bellamy, Stewart Downing and Sebastian Coates. The majority of them are strong British lads, who know the league well. They've also got quality.

"The squad is looking stronger - probably the strongest we've had for a long time. Now it's all about delivering. The tools are all there. Now we need to work hard, focus on each game and try to build on what we've shown over the last 20 or so games.

"At Liverpool, your standards have got to be so high every single week. You have to perform every time. That's what I've had to do every year and that's what the new lads are coming to terms with."